Nearly 38 million Americans suffer from migraines, and for many of them the search for lasting relief can be frustrating. Migraines can significantly interfere with work, family life, and daily activities, yet many people struggle to find an approach that addresses the underlying factors contributing to their condition.
One challenge with many conventional migraine treatments is that they are designed primarily to manage symptoms once an attack has already begun. As a result, much of migraine care focuses on reducing pain during an episode rather than identifying structural or neurological factors that may contribute to recurring attacks.
Additionally, some medications may not be effective for every patient and can be accompanied by unwanted side effects.
A Patch-Based Migraine Medication
One attempt to provide an alternative method of medication delivery involved a patch that released migraine medication slowly into the bloodstream over several hours. The patch delivered the drug Sumatriptan, which is commonly prescribed for migraine episodes.
While the patch initially appeared promising as a different method of administering medication, it was temporarily removed from the market after reports of severe skin reactions in some patients. Situations like this highlight an ongoing challenge with medication-based approaches: while they may help manage symptoms for some individuals, they may also produce unintended side effects and often do not address structural factors that may contribute to migraines.
Because of this, many migraine sufferers begin exploring alternative approaches that focus on the relationship between the spine, nervous system, and overall body function.
The Upper Cervical Spine and Migraines
The uppermost portion of the spine plays a critical role in supporting the head and protecting the brainstem. The atlas vertebra (C1), located at the base of the skull, surrounds this important neurological structure.
When the atlas shifts out of its normal position—a condition commonly referred to as Atlas Subluxation—it can create structural stress in the upper cervical spine. Because the brainstem helps coordinate communication between the brain and body, alignment in this region is particularly important.
Some clinicians have suggested that upper cervical misalignment may influence factors such as:
- Postural balance between the head and spine
- Blood circulation through the vertebral arteries
- Movement of cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord
- Muscle tension and mechanical stress in the neck
These structural relationships have led some migraine sufferers to explore upper cervical chiropractic care as part of their health strategy.
A Precise Approach with NUCCA
At Advanced Spinal Care in Washington, we focus on identifying and correcting upper cervical misalignments using a specialized method called NUCCA.
NUCCA stands for the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association and is specifically designed to evaluate and correct alignment of the atlas vertebra.
This approach differs from many traditional chiropractic techniques in several ways:
- Detailed imaging and measurements are used to determine the exact position of the atlas
- Adjustments are extremely gentle and highly precise
- The procedure does not involve twisting, cracking, or popping of the neck
- Each correction is customized to the patient’s specific anatomy
During the correction, a light and carefully directed pressure is applied to encourage the atlas vertebra to return toward its proper position. Because the adjustment is so precise, the goal is to restore structural balance and allow the body to maintain that alignment rather than relying on frequent forceful adjustments.
Supporting the Body’s Natural Function
Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on correcting Atlas Subluxation rather than treating individual symptoms. When the head and neck are properly aligned, the body may have a greater opportunity to maintain efficient nervous system communication and structural balance.
Many patients choose this approach because it emphasizes restoring alignment and supporting the body’s natural ability to function.
Schedule a NUCCA Evaluation
If you experience migraines and would like to learn more about how upper cervical alignment may influence nervous system function, a NUCCA evaluation can help determine whether Atlas Subluxation may be present.
To schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below.
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Dr. Craig Lapenski at Advanced Spinal Care, in Graham, Washington is one of 27 Board Certified NUCCA Doctors worldwide. His clinic serves the highest quality upper cervical care in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Lapenski also serves a number of patients who are out of state including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New York, and more! He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines, headaches, fibromyalgia, vertigo, neck pain, back pain, and more. More information can be found on our website at https://www.nuccawashington.com/